The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz
The Hockey Show: The Oilers Make The Move (December 12, 2025)
Episode Overview
Broadcast live from the Elser Hotel in Downtown Miami, Roy Bellamy is joined by David Druik (The Hockey News), Rose, and Ethan in the Yoda Studio, with guest Jordan McPherson (Miami Herald). This week’s “Hockey Show” zeros in on the Edmonton Oilers’ major trade for goaltender Tristan Jarry and subsequent NHL news, with lively analysis, irreverent humor, stats debates, and listener-friendly breakdowns. Packed with personality and deep dives, the episode explores the impact of the big transaction, the broader goaltending market, accountability in hockey, and the idiosyncrasies of hockey culture.
Main Discussion Points & Insights
1. Edmonton Oilers Land Tristan Jarry – Trade Breakdown
- Trade Details: Edmonton acquires Tristan Jarry from Pittsburgh; sends Stuart Skinner, Brett Kulak, and a 2029 2nd-round pick to the Penguins.
- Secondary Move: Oilers also acquire Spencer Stastney from Nashville for a 2027 3rd-round pick.
- Is It an Upgrade?
- David Druik: "Statistically, he's [Jarry] having a far better season than Stuart Skinner... Jarry saves above expected: 9.8, Skinner: 6.9." (02:54)
- Roy Bellamy: Questions if the move is more than lateral, or just swapping similar players for a steep cost.
- Ethan: Critiques the Oilers' approach: "We waited two years for the Oilers to make a goaltending move and this is what they came up with?" (03:36)
- Cost Analysis:
- Ethan/Panel: Views the trade as a hefty price for a "lateral" switch in goaltending, sacrificing Skinner, a dependable Kulak, and a pick.
- David Druik: Wonders if the trade is more psychological/invigorates the locker room, but calls the price “a lot for this guy.” (03:24)
Concerns About Pittsburgh’s Plan
- The Penguins, in playoff contention, “just basically traded their starting goaltender” (05:46) for Skinner, raising speculation over waving the white flag or setting up another move.
2. Backup Goalie and Defensive Depth
- Panel notes: Calvin Pickard remains Edmonton’s backup – stats aren’t promising (-1.5 goals saved above expected).
- David: "It hasn't been pretty for the Panthers defensively... issues as well." (04:46)
- Stastney’s advanced metrics are highlighted as a defensive upgrade over Kulak:
- “Kulak has a negative 6.5 rating... Stastny has a +1.4 defensive rating.” (09:16 - Druik/Ethan)
3. League-Wide Reactions & Twitter Soundbites
- Pete Blackburn: “I genuinely cannot believe we waited two years for the Oilers to make a goaltending move and this is what they came up with.” (03:36)
- Dom Luszczyszyn (Athletic): Criticizes the trade as overpayment for neither an upgrade nor meaningful playoff assurance.
4. Controversy: Carter Hart & NHL Accountability
- Carter Hart, acquitted in the Hockey Canada sexual assault trial, faces backlash on returning to Philadelphia with Vegas.
- Roy: “My main issue is not making him available to the media.” (10:55)
- David: “Anytime you have to release a statement, anytime you sign a player you probably shouldn’t sign that player.” (11:22)
- Ethan: “They continue to make cowardly moves to protect a guy that doesn’t deserve to be protected... we should hold our organizations and this league to a higher standard.” (11:22)
- Panel condemns the Golden Knights’ “cowardly” handling—extra security, odd media blackouts, refusal to face questions.
5. Fun & Games: Panel’s On-Air Water Torture (Lighthearted Segment)
- Punishments game: hosts put hands in freezing water, commiserating over hockey toughness—and producing one-liners...
- Roy: "I'm trying to prove a point that I'm a man. I'm a man, everybody." (15:02)
- Rose: “You’re 40. I’m a man!” (15:07)
6. Puck Luck Picks (15:15)
- David Druik gives betting picks:
- Blackhawks moneyline vs. St. Louis; Tyler Bertuzzi over 1.5 shots; Brandon Montour over 2.5 shots.
- Explains rationale with recent stat trends.
7. Stats of the Week & Notable Achievements
- Ethan: "Nathan MacKinnon has been involved in 44 5-on-5 goals this season. The Seattle Kraken have 42." (17:13)
- Panel: “Send the Hart ballot now.“ (17:40)
8. Rose In a Minute: Toronto Maple Leafs Weekly Recap (19:09)
- Rose delivers a witty summary of the Leafs’ drama: shootout heartbreaks, surprise shutouts, and Auston Matthews' milestones.
- “Toronto went back to doing what it does best, suffer.” (19:09)
9. Wins & Fails of the Week
- Wins:
- David: NHL “color vs color” jersey matchups—“I love it. It’s beautiful on the eyes.” (21:20)
- Roy: Panthers dominate “punchable face” rankings—jokingly credits their aggressive style for Cup success. (22:00)
- Ethan: Youth hockey “mighty mite” assist—“upper 90, top shelf, where Mrs. Moeller keeps the peanut butter...” (22:34)
- Rose: “Episode 4 of Stranger Things. The Sorcerer. We were not expecting it that soon!“ (23:24)
- Fails:
- David & Rose: Edmonton’s blown leads—Buffalo game, McDavid scores late but Oilers still lose. (24:44)
- Roy: Skate blade mishaps—players crawling to the bench after equipment fails. (24:57)
- Ethan: Evan Bouchard’s costly turnovers: “Good luck, Tristan Jarry.” (26:07)
10. Hockey Debates & Rule Innovations (w/ Jordan McPherson, 28:41)
Stats Rants:
- Should posts count as shots on goal?
- Ethan: “The stat keepers are lazy...”
- Panel: Advocates for “shots off post” stat.
Penalty Quirks:
- Why does embellishment get called with a penalty but never alone?
- Panel: Suggest embellishment should stand by itself or not at all.
- Penalty-kill innovation: making offenders start on the PK shift.
- Jordan: "Would force teams to practice PK with all players."
Warmup Tradition:
- David: “Why have pregame warmups not changed in 100 years?”
- Suggests more flexibility in how teams prepare.
The Wave Debate:
- Wave at hockey games: "In a one nothing game [it's] the equivalent of playing 'Peppers' before a Heat game is locked down." (39:33)
- Avalanche-style “top-down wave” gets cautious approval for its thematic originality.
Other Quirks:
- “Jailbreak” shorthanded goal rule: Penalty instantly ends for the scorer’s team—panel says yes!
- Penalty box mirrors to increase home-ice psychological warfare (suggested tongue-in-cheek).
11. Florida Panthers Deep Dive (Panther Den, 46:06)
- Recent form: three straight wins after dropping four of five, then beaten by the Colorado Avalanche.
- Roy: “They needed that desperately… unfortunately last night they played the best team in the NHL.”
- Defending Western Cup favorites (Avalanche, Stars) praised for elite play and depth.
- Panthers’ brutal travel, condensed home stretch coming—need to bank points.
- Jordan: “If they can split this trip... and take advantage of home ice... it sets them up well.” (50:10)
- Ethan: Notes looming Olympic break and its double-edged nature for Florida’s all-star roster.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On the Oilers’ Trade:
- David Druik: "God, they gave up a lot for this guy." (03:24)
- Ethan: “I genuinely cannot believe we waited two years for the Oilers to make a goaltending move and this is what they came up with.” (03:36)
-
On Golden Knights & Carter Hart:
- Ethan: “Cowardly moves to protect a guy that doesn’t deserve to be protected.” (11:22)
- David: "Anytime you have to release a statement, anytime you sign a player you probably shouldn’t sign that player." (11:22)
-
On Wintry Panel Punishments:
- Roy: “I’m trying to prove a point that I’m a man. I’m a man, everybody.” (15:02)
- Rose: “You’re 40. I’m a man!” (15:07)
-
On the Leafs’ Season:
- Rose: “Toronto went back to doing what it does best, suffer.” (19:09)
Timestamps of Key Segments
- Oilers-Penguins Trade Analysis: 00:00 – 08:14
- Jarry vs Skinner Deep Dive: 02:32 – 03:35
- Defensive Upgrades (Kulak/Stastney): 08:29 – 09:16
- Carter Hart & NHL Accountability: 09:16 – 12:25
- Freezing Water Panel Punishments: 13:00 – 15:14
- Puck Luck Picks: 15:30 – 16:51
- Nathan MacKinnon Stat of Week: 17:13 – 18:03
- Rose’s Maple Leafs Recap: 19:09 – 20:15
- Wins & Fails of the Week: 20:15 – 26:40
- Hockey Rule Debates & Innovation Panel w/ Jordan: 28:41 – 43:39
- Florida Panthers Analysis: 46:06 – 52:26
Panelists’ Original Tone & Language
The show balances snappy, irreverent humor with insider hockey talk, rolling from statistical deep-dives (“saves above expected: 9.8”) to exasperated hot takes (“You’re 40. I’m a man!”). The banter is both self-deprecating (on their own bets/fails) and sharply critical (Golden Knights, NHL’s lack of accountability), while regularly riffing on the absurdity and quirks that make hockey unique.
For Listeners Who Missed the Episode
This episode is a rapid-fire, personality-driven tour of NHL news, with a sharp focus on the Oilers’ goaltending gamble, debates over hockey’s stubborn traditions, harsh truths about league culture, and plenty of in-studio fun—mixing stats, banter, laughter, and the occasional rant.
Whether you care deeply about the advanced analytics of a left-handed defenseman, want to understand why the Oilers’ trade is so controversial, or just want great hockey storytelling, this “Hockey Show” delivers it all.